Jac Morgan set for return as Wales international to make debut in Welsh derby

Wales captain Jac Morgan will make his first appearance of the season this weekend as he is named on the bench for the Ospreys‘ derby against Dragons at Rodney Parade on Saturday (kick-off: 5.30pm).

The back-row hasn’t featured since the British and Irish Lions’ third Test against Australia in Sydney in the summer, having picked up an injury while doing physical testing with the Welsh Rugby Union. However, days after being named in Steve Tandy’s first squad as Wales coach, the 25-year-old will make his first appearance in Saturday’s URC clash.

With club captain Morgan only on the bench, Dewi Lake will continue to skipper the side in his absence.

New signing Ryan Smith makes his debut for the club, starting alongside Wales call-up James Fender in the second-row.

Huw Sutton lines up on the blindside, with Harri Deaves and Ross Moriarty – both overlooked by Wales this week – completing the back-row.

In the backs, Iestyn Hopkins is named on the left wing – with Keelan Giles out injured.

“Welsh derbies are one of the first games that you target when the fixture list comes out, so we’re excited,” said Ospreys head coach Mark Jones.

“Rodney Parade is a dangerous place to go. The Dragons are a good side, especially when they put their best side out and play to their standard. Although they’ve had a long streak without a win, a lot of their performances have been very strong at home.”

As for the Dragons, Wales back-row Thomas Young will make his debut for the club after joining from Cardiff this summer.

The Men of Gwent head into this Welsh derby without head coach Filo Tiatia, who has flown back to New Zealand for personal reasons.

Dale MacLeod, who will take charge in place of Tiatia, has made six changes from the side that were beaten by Cardiff last Friday.

Ryan Woodman, Chris Coleman, Matthew Screech, Huw Anderson and Joe Westwood are the other changes – with Rio Dyer missing out through injury days after his Wales recall.

“Ospreys will be a tough side, and they will come to us and challenge us,” said defence coach MacLeod.

“They will be physical, they will be tough, and they will stay in the fight for 80 minutes.

“We’ve got to be at our very best to beat them. That is all we are focussed on.”

Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien (c); Fine Inisi, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen, Huw Anderson; Tinus de Beer, Rhodri Williams; Wyn Jones, Brodie Coghlan, Chris Coleman, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter (C), Ryan Woodman, Thomas Young, Aaron Wainwright

Replacements: Oli Burrows, Rodrigo Martinez, Dillon Lewis, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harry Beddall, Niall Armstrong, Cai Evans, David Richards

Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Dan Kasende, Phil Cokanasiga, Keiran Williams, Iestyn Hopkins; Dan Edwards, Reuben Morgan-Williams; Gareth Thomas, Dewi Lake (c), Tom Botha, Ryan Smith, James Fender, Huw Sutton, Harri Deaves, Ross Moriarty.

Replacements: Lewis Lloyd, Garyn Phillips, Ben Warren, Rhys Davies, Jac Morgan, Luke Davies, Evardi Boshoff, Max Nagy.

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Jac Morgan set for return as Wales international to make debut in Welsh derby

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